Basic scientific principle behind a nuclear reactor is

Nuclear fusion

Controlled nuclear fusion

Uncontrolled nuclear fission

Controlled nuclear fission

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Answer is Wrong!

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2019

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The correct answer is (D) Controlled nuclear fission.

Nuclear reactors generate energy by splitting heavy atomic nuclei, such as Uranium-235, in a process called nuclear fission. This process releases a large amount of energy, neutrons, and other particles.

In a nuclear reactor, the fission chain reaction is carefully controlled using materials like control rods (which absorb neutrons) and moderators (which slow down neutrons) to ensure a sustained but non-explosive release of energy. This controlled reaction differentiates a nuclear reactor from an atomic bomb, which relies on an uncontrolled chain reaction (uncontrolled nuclear fission). Nuclear fusion, the process of combining light nuclei, is the principle behind the sun’s energy and thermonuclear weapons, but it is not yet used for commercial power generation in current nuclear reactors due to the extremely high temperatures and pressures required.

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